Empowering Volunteers for Nonprofit Board Service

A Message from Jill Schubert, 2025 Board Chair

United Way of Northwest Georgia Celebrates 25th Annual Make a Difference Day with Record Volunteer Impact

United Way of Northwest Georgia proudly celebrated its 25th Annual Make a Difference Day, an inspiring week of community service that mobilized hundreds of volunteers to improve lives across Whitfield and Murray counties.

Make a Difference Day is the nation’s largest single day of community service—

a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Everyone can participate! Each year, Make a Difference Day brings volunteerism to a new level by connecting people with projects that transform their communities.

United Way Announces $4.155 Million Goal

Dalton, GA — September 19, 2025 — United Way of Northwest Georgia kicked off its 2025–2026 annual campaign in true Camp United style at Burr Park on September 18, announcing a bold goal of $4.155 million to change lives in Whitfield and Murray counties.

Get ready to roll up your sleeping bag and pack your camp spirit—because the 2025 United Way Campaign is here! This year, husband-and-wife team Sara and David Pennington are leading the way as Campaign Co-Chairs. With their enthusiasm and dedication, this campaign will spark new possibilities for families across Whitfield and Murray counties.

As we wrap up summer and head into another school year, we celebrate thirteen local students who recently graduated from United Way of Northwest Georgia’s goLEAD program—an immersive three-day leadership experience held July 29–31. I am proud of these students and our staff leadership at United Way, who pour into these students to help them become better leaders and better community citizens. 

Summer is here, school is out, and vacation season is in full swing, but at United Way of Northwest Georgia, the work never stops. As we continue serving our community year-round, our dedicated volunteers are now shifting gears and ramping up efforts for another impactful campaign season.

School’s out, but learning does not have to stop! At United Way, we are working hard to make sure kids in Whitfield and Murray counties stay engaged, curious, and on track for success this summer.

Our Keep Kids Thriving program, part of our year-round Read United initiative, helps children fight the “summer slide”—the learning loss that can happen when school takes a break. Research shows that this slide can cause two-thirds of the reading gap between low—and middle-income students by ninth grade. But we are here to change that!

Celebrating Mother’s Day, we honor the women who shape our lives through compassion, courage, and love. Mothers, grandmothers, teachers, mentors, and friends—these women nurture not just families but entire communities, guiding others with strength and grace. This month is about celebrating the power of women who lead with their hearts and lift others along the way.